Flex 50: The Fittest Men of 2016

The Flex 50 is not just the fittest men of 2016. The Flex 50 is that — but it's also much more.

The Flex 50 is a collection of the most influential and dynamic experts and leaders in the worlds of fitness, sport and general badassery, selected by the fitness-focused AskMen editors.

The Flex 50 features the athletes, fighters, trainers, climbers, adventurers, and all-around fitness freaks who flexed their muscles in 2016.

The Flex 50 is not a ranked list. There are many roads to a fit and healthy lifestyle and we recognize that no single path is better than another.

The Flex 50 is a celebration of men who redefine what fitness means. These men inspire us to seek out our limits — then throw them out the window. They train not just for championships, gold medals or the thrill of winning. These men train for life.

This is the Flex 50.

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Michael Phelps

Whether or not you believe Michael Phelps is the greatest athlete of all time is completely up to you. But there’s no argument that he is the most accomplished athlete in Olympic history, with seven world records to his credit and 23 gold medals (28 medals overall). He finished his fifth Olympic Games in Rio by winning a record-breaking 13th individual gold medal, topping a record that stood for more than 2,000 years. “People have no idea how difficult it is to win one Olympic gold medal,” his coach Bob Bowman told the Washington Post. “Michael has done it so frequently that it’s really hard to put it in perspective.”

Sure, Michael will go down in history as one of the greatest Olympians ever, but his epic angry face in the waiting area before his 200-meter butterfly semi-final race against South Africa’s Chad le Clos has also reached infamous status. Michael has always been known for his long and intense training sessions but at 31, his recovery time has increased. He’s working out four or five hours a day instead of six or seven. He mixes in speed and endurance, totaling as many as 50 miles per week in the water. Add to that strength training and weightlifting sessions four or five times a week. When you're training that much, there are little restrictions in your diet. Michael has been known to pack in up to 12,000 calories a day, which is close to what you might eat in a week.

Secret Weapon: When Michael isn’t in the water, it's rare to spot him without his Beats by Dre headphones. He admitted he was listening to rapper Future's Stick Talk when he was scowling at le Clos in Brazil.

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Mat Fraser

After back-to-back runner-up finishes at the CrossFit Games, Mathew Fraser can finally call himself “The Fittest Man on Earth.”

Mat had been considered the heir apparent to the crown vacated by Rich Froning when Rich decided to retire from individual competition to focus on winning team titles. But Mat was edged out by Ben Smith at the 2015 CrossFit Games. This year was different. He crushed the field the way no one has in the sport’s history. The final day of competition was essentially a victory lap.

“I just don’t find that I’m able to push myself as hard if I’m at all unhappy, upset or angry,” he said in an interview with Men’s Health. “When I go into a workout happy, with a smile on my face, I’m willing to suffer a bit more, I’m willing to dig a little deeper, push a little harder.”

Fraser started Olympic lifting when he was 12 years old. He fell in love. The Vermont native was so committed that the day that he graduated high school, he moved to the Olympic Training Center as a resident athlete for two years. Then, in 2009, he suffered a broken vertebrae in two spots and was forced into surgery to fix the issue. Following his surgery, he moved to Northern Michigan, where the Olympic education center is, to complete rehabilitation. He later moved back to Vermont and got committed himself to CrossFit — a natural fit given his weightlifting background. Mat was soon considered the "heir apparent" to the CrossFit mantle that Rich Froning would vacate.

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Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor is one of the sport’s most colorful athletes. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, the featherweight is the most recognized UFC fighter whose name is not Ronda Rousey. His mouth and skills have turned him into one of the biggest draws in MMA. He proved it again when he avenged his loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 202 in an epic split decision win over his toughest opponent to date.

In his very first UFC bout, he finished off his opponent in a little over a minute via TKO, a move that earned him his very first “Knockout of the Night” award. In December 2015, Conor won the featherweight title by KOing Jose Aldo in 13 seconds — the fastest finish in UFC history for a title fight. And he called it beforehand, Muhammad Ali-style. At 20-3, Conor has 16 knockouts, one submission win, and 12 first-round victories.

When it comes to his workout regimen, you won't see him throwing heavy weights around. And he doesn't go all-out while sparring either, according to Bodybuilding.com. Conor famously trained with movement specialist Ido Portal (who is also on this list) to improve his movement patterns in the ring.

Timing, agility and power are the three main components he puts an emphasis on when training. Staying in lighter weight classes isn’t easy, so he fuels his body with "clean" food sources, which also helps him recover faster.

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Usain Bolt

There was a moment in the semifinal of the men’s 200-meter race at the Rio Olympics when a Canadian sprinter named Andre De Grasse thought he could creep by Usain Bolt — the most dominant sprinter in all of athletics — and steal a win. Usain, of course, still finished in first place and playfully wagged a finger at Andre as if to say: "Not yet, young man. I still run this sport.” The two shared a laugh. The image perfectly describes the kind of stranglehold that the Lightning Bolt has on the competition and on the world. At the Rio Games, the sprinter became the first athlete in history to win the 100 and 200-meter dash and the 4x100 relay at three consecutive Olympics.

It’s not just the Lightning Bolt's wins that are impressive. He’s actually a freak of nature. At 6'5", he turns his legs over faster than world-class sprinters who are much shorter than him. He dominates his races and charms the crowd. He is a spectacle, almost mythological in stature. His sub-par races — he ran 9.79 to win the 100 in Rio while his world-record best is 9.58 — still crush the competition.

And these feats come from a man who admittedly hates to train and has never ran a full mile. He also doesn’t like vegetables and refuses to give up fast food. His diet is simple, usually consisting of foods like chicken and yams. Usain is also a fan of hot wings.

Like we said, freak of nature.

Fun Fact: After Usain scored his third gold medal by winning the 4x100-meter relay at the Rio Olympics, he celebrated with chicken nuggets from McDonald's. And it's not the first time. Usain reportedly downed 1,000 nuggets in the 10 days leading up to the Beijing Games in 2008. (He also won three gold medals there.)

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Ido Portal

Ido Portal’s tagline sums up his mission: Movement Culture.

On his website, Ido writes that he’s obsessed with movement, and that’s what drives him. While searching for a true movement teacher (not one specializing in a specific discipline such as dance or martial arts), he realized he couldn't find a mentor to relate to.

“So, I decided to become that person. How presumptuous, I know, but also how necessary,” he writes on his website. He has since traveled the world and studied the teachings of experts specializing in a variety of disciplines, from osteopaths to professional dancers and circus performers. “Slowly, I started to form a body of knowledge and point of view on movement education, development, cultivation.”

Ido’s philosophy is about more than being strong. It's about being fit and having stamina. It's about how you move throughout the day. Considering you’re constantly moving to some degree, Ido wants you to optimize your movement patterns, which is particularly important in our sedentary society.

Ido trains three to four hours a day, every day. He does a combination of dancing, fighting, acrobatics, and climbing, and also spends time improvising movement patterns with objects and weights. His diet includes essential fatty acids, grass-fed organic meats, and plenty of veggies.

Ido conducts a yearly event called "The Movement Camp," where he brings together movement teachers and students alike to exchange ideas and add value to their own practices and lives.

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Steve Weatherford

Steve Weatherford, who won Super Bowl XLVI with the New York Giants, is as famous for his insanely ripped abs as he is for his 10 years in the NFL as a badass punter. He’s also a badass in the gym, so much so that he was recently tossed out of a Planet Fitness gym. Yes, he was apparently grunting too loud. As a punter, Steve earned a reputation for being the fittest player in the league. He’s been an expert in the fitness community for years, having been featured in publications like Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness,USA Today and others.

“I knew that if I wanted to compete at an elite level, I had to form an elite work ethic,” Steve once told NJ.com. “This is something I’ve worked really hard for, so when people started calling me the fittest man in the NFL, it’s definitely a badge of honor for me, because I think the National Football League has the greatest athletes in the world. “

To craft a gladiator-like physique like Steve’s also takes discipline. The fitness expert keeps a consistent, clean diet that includes 50% proteins, 30% carbs and 20% fats, shoveling five meals a day, three and a half hours apart. Pizza nights are cheat days and usually happen the night before his most intense training session — leg day. He takes a bodybuilding-style approach to training, working on specific areas of his body each day while also focusing on compound lifts like back squats, bench presses and deadlifts. In case you’re wondering what he benches: 525 pounds.

Secret Weapon: "I will NOT walk into a gym without wearing Skins compression wear. There's a reason I played 10 years at the highest level in the NFL without ever sustaining a muscle pull, strain or tear. Skins compression is a game-changer for me, from decreasing muscular vibration to adding an additional layer of muscle fascia to maintain protection and heat to the muscle belly. It's imperative for me. I don't leave the house without it."

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Rich Roll

Rich Roll only entered the world of endurance sports at the age of 40. The former entertainment attorney is now considered one of the best ultra-endurance athletes in the world and hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, one of the top podcasts on iTunes.

But the road to success was far from easy. Although Rich was part of the Stanford University swim team in college, he struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for years. At age 40 and 50 pounds overweight, Rich knew he needed to overhaul his lifestyle. He decided to take control of his health and became a dedicated vegan. He also jumped feet-first into training, becoming engulfed in running and swimming. His achievements include completing five Ironman-distance triathlons on five different Hawaiian Islands in under a week alongside fellow athlete Jason Lester, a feat the partners refer to as the EPIC5 challenge.

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Ricky Warren

If you’ve seen him move, you might agree with the life motto Ricky Warren shared with us. He has been involved in bodyweight mastery almost his entire life.

Beginning with various martial arts including judo, wing chun, boxing, thai boxing, and grappling, he started practising more artistic and acrobatic elements of these arts during his teenage years. The cool tricks got him hooked on calisthenics. Ricky, who is a big advocate of functional training, can perform advanced movements such as muscle-ups; planches; front lever; back lever; and the human flag. "I'm a vegetarian and [eat a vegan diet] a few days a week. I find that a plant-based diet is cleaner for my body and better on my conscience," he says.

Here is what his signature guerrilla superset consists of (it's not for the faint of heart!):

One arm pull-up (both sides)

Five-second front lever

10 pull-ups

Five-second straddle planche

8 x 80kg back squats

Bag work

Secret Weapon: "I would say a pull-up bar. It's the only thing that's a requirement to work the back properly since you can't really do pulling exercises on the floor," he says.

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Alex Honnold

Alex Honnold's climbing friends call him “No Big Deal” because of his nonchalant attitude towards the most epic feats (like conquering Yosemite). The 30-year-old's free solo ascents (as in, he does this dangerous stuff without a harness or a partner) of America’s biggest cliffs have made him one of the most respected athletes in the world of climbing.

Alex is constantly pushing the boundaries of the sport of free solo climbing. Some of his most notable accomplishments include the first solo ascent of University Wall at Squamish. In 2012, he finished the Yosemite Triple Crown with a record breaking time (18 hours and 50 minutes). He is the second person in two decades to complete this free solo climb in one day. In January, Alex and fellow climber Colin Haley scaled Patagonia's Torre Traverse, which as more than 7,000 feet or vertical gain, in a record 20 hours and 40 minutes. According to Men's Journal, the duo only carried 4.5 liters of water each and some energy bars and gels.

In his book, Alone on the Wall, which was turned into an Emmy-nominated film by National Geographic, he discusses in vivid detail the seven most astonishing (and death-defying) achievements he’s had in his illustrious climbing career to date. Each climb is narrated with so much grit and drama that you’ll feel like you’re right besides him on his journey.

And how does someone like Alex nourish himself when he’s ascending some of the most frightening cliffs in the world? When he’s training, he eats strictly vegetarian meals and stays away from dairy as much as he can. During his climbs, he’s literally eating the whole time to keep both his energy and focus levels high. He’ll eat things like fruit, bars and nuts. For longer hikes, he’ll even pack something like a big sandwich.

Alex is an all-around decent guy too. In 2012, he founded an environmental non-profit called The Honnold Foundation, which offers grants to projects that seek to create a positive difference in the world.

And if you're wondering where you can find him these days, would you believe it if we said he lives in a van down by the river? Well, it’s true. He lives out of his van and travels the globe in search for the next big adventure.

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Kendrick Farris

If you need any reference as to how strong Kendrick Farris is, his best clean and jerk is 456 pounds. That’s a weight that he picked up off the ground and put over his head.

Kendrick was the only American male at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, his third Olympic Games appearance. He finished 11th in the 95kg weight class.

Kendrick began lifting weights at 12 years old. He credits his uncle for getting him involved in weightlifting at just 12 years old. It was obviously the right move — less than 10 years later, Kendrick won back-to-back National titles in 2006 and 2007. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he set two American records and placed eighth for his weight group. This year, during the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Kendrick lifted a total of 377kg with three lifts, setting a new U.S. record for this category.

So, this weightlifter must be eating 1,000 pounds of lean chicken breast and salmon each day to stay this strong, right? Wrong. Kendrick has actually been a vegan since 2014. Shortly after becoming a vegan, he told media outlets he felt like a new person.

Kendrick is a big advocate of being mindful of what you put in your body, not just for the sake of eating healthy but because your quality of life also improves when you are mindful about your diet.

Fun Fact: Kendrick told TheHuffington Post that he decided to go vegan because he didn’t trust the way that food was being processed and he wanted to set an example for his son with a healthier plant-based diet.

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Gennady Golovkin

With 35 wins in 35 fights (including 32 knockouts), Gennady "GGG" Golovkin is one of the most-dodged fighters in boxing. He has marched through the middleweight division with 22 consecutive KOs and the highest KO percentage of any middleweight in history. He’s a wrecking machine.

The Ring magazine has ranked GGG as the world’s No. 1 middleweight fighter. An incredibly powerful boxer who becomes an aggressive stalker once he steps inside the ring, Gennady won a gold medal at the 2003 World Amateur Boxing Championships and a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics before he began demolishing pro fighters. His amateur resume is extensive with a, you know, respectable record of 345-5. This September, boxing’s most dominant fighter will attempt to get his 23d straight knockout in a showdown with Kell Brook.

Gennady, who trains in Big Bear Lake, California with veteran trainer Abel Sanchez, has marched through the middleweight ranks at a knockout rate of 91.4. In more than 375 fights, he has never been knocked down. He might be known as a power puncher, but he’s also in incredible shape. His workouts are comprised of boxing-specific work and bodyweight exercises. His coach rarely briefs him on his workouts ahead of time. He only tells him to show up three times a week for cardiovascular work and bodyweight training, adapting the session to the athlete's energy and condition. Every day is different. Stretching is also a huge component of GGG’s training protocol: He stretches up to three times a day to help prevent injuries.

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Mike Aidala

Mike Aidala does it all, including flying.

From collegiate football to Olympic weightlifting and competitive stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), Mike has spent his life mastering flow through fitness in various disciplines. “Flow happens when you are totally in the zone. Minutes turn into hours of energized focus, complete connection and pleasure in the present moment,” Mike writes on his website.

Mike believes that what we learn to do on the mat or in the gym has a direct correlation with how we experience our lives – improving physical, mental, occupational, environmental, spiritual and emotional health. And he has the experience and credibility to give such advice: He holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and fitness development from Cortland State University. During his college football career, he earned All-Academic, All-Conference honors. He previously worked with the New York Jets’ strength and conditioning staff during several training camps, and studied at the EXOS (formerly Athletes’ Performance) elite training facility in Los Angeles, where he trained collegiate and professional athletes.

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Ron "Boss" Everline

You can think of Ron “Boss” Everline as the workout buddy who keeps you accountable by using just the right amount of tough love. The college athlete-turned-trainer often works out alongside his (very famous) clients, tapping into their competitive spirit to encourage them to push their limits.

Ron attended Northwest Missouri State University on a full athletic scholarship. He started a personal training business while trying to make his pro football dreams come true. But he eventually realized his side gig was his true calling. At that time, little did he know he would end up training A-listers such as Kevin Hart, Ne-Yo, Christina Milian and Trey Songz. Through his work, he has even spent time working with the royal family throughout Europe, Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

Ron's signature workouts reflect his athletic background. From supersets to high-intensity interval training and from running to intense core work, he uses high-level conditioning methods to get people in the best shape of their life.

But don’t get it twisted: Just because he works with an elite clientele doesn’t mean he is not committed to making fitness accessible to everyone. Ron has headed a number of initiatives to promote health and fitness, including CJ the Workout Kid, a program aimed to fight childhood obesity in Atlanta, as well as Teachers Get Fit, which motivates teachers to be active, healthy role models for kids.

Secret Weapon: As Kevin Hart’s trainer, it’s only right that Boss’s secret weapon be a training shoe designed for Kevin Hart.

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Rich Froning

Rich Froning is the most decorated athlete in CrossFit history. He’s basically the Michael Jordan of fitness.

Rich became the first person to win the title of "Fittest Man on Earth" four times in a row, finishing in first place at the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 CrossFit Games. In July, he led CrossFit Mayhem to its second team title in a row.

Rich grew up in Cookeville, Tennessee, where he currently resides. He was an all-region second baseman in high school. After graduating in 2005, continued playing at Walters State Community College. Soon after, he decided to end his baseball career, and began working at the Cookeville Fire Department while studying at Tennessee Technological University. It was at the fire department that Rich became interested in this new thing called CrossFit. He developed a deep passion for the sport. It wasn’t long until he began coaching and competing, and the rest is history.

Rich has been a pioneer in making a living off CrossFit, the way an NBA athlete would land lucrative sponsorships. He has won more than a million dollars in purse money with his CrossFit Games victories, earning him significant sponsorships from brands like Reebok, Oakley and Rogue Fitness. In early 2015, Reebok released a shoe designed in part by Rich, which bore the name of the bible scripture tattooed on his side — the Reebok CrossFit Compete 6:14.

Fun Fact: After winning four consecutive individual CrossFit Games titles, Rich retired from individual competition and has since lead CrossFit Mayhem to back-to-back team titles.

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Demetrious Johnson

While kids sit in front of their television watching a Mighty Mouse cartoon, a real life Mighty Mouse exists: His name is Demetrious Johnson. Don’t let his 5’3” frame and 125-pound body fool you: When you step up and test Mighty Mouse, you’re going to walk away in a world of hurt. If you don’t believe it, ask the eight fighters who tried to take his UFC flyweight title belt away from him.

An athlete his entire life, Demetrious felt comfortable as a wrestler. Taking his skill set to the next level, he decided to start training for MMA. He was quickly named one of the fastest fighters in all of MMA. His speed, conditioning and technique earned him a 24-2-1 record.

Whether Mighty Mouse is training for a fight or not, he tries to maintain a healthy diet and drink a ton of water. Does he enjoy his fast food and sweets? Sure. But even though he doesn't believe in deprivation, he does try to keep those to a minimum.

The fighter trains under Matt Hume and Joel Jamieson, and says he is not a fan of pushing his body to the point where he feels he’s doing more harm than good. Hume and Johnson’s training methods consist of a mix of just about everything — resistance bands, kettlebells, barbells, and power sled workouts.

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Scott Jurek

It’s not every day that you run into someone with a resume like Scott Jurek's. Scott is most recognized for being a competitive ultramarathon runner. His achievements include winning the Western States Endurance Run — a 100-mile run — seven times, the Miwok 100k trail race three times, and the Leona Divide 50-miler four times. He was named "Ultra Runner of the Year" four times by Ultrarunning Magazine, and set the American all-surface record in the 24-hour run by running 165.7 miles (six and a half marathons) in one day. His athletic acumen, just like his mileage, is extensive.

Scott, the bestselling author of Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness, has been a vegan since 1999. He often says the vegan lifestyle is what has taken him so far in the sport, helping improve his endurance, recovery and overall health. Scott also enjoys yoga, Nordic skiing, cycling, and hiking.

How passionate is he? The running legend is known to let out a loud scream at the start of races and stick around the finish line to cheer on fellow finishers. In 2015, 20 years into his athletic career, he decided to see how quickly he could run through the Appalachian Trail. And run he did, setting a new record for the trail. At the age of 42, he ran the Appalachian Trail in an astounding 46 days, 8 hours and 7 minutes. He called the feat his “masterpiece" in an interview with Runner's World Newswire.

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Jesse Thomas

Jesse didn’t start off his career the way most people do. He had to borrow a bike to enter his first triathlon, since his was broken. He needed an aero helmet, because he didn’t own one of those, either. The aviator sunglasses he’s known to race with? He bought them at a drug store. “I’m that dude who races in aviators. Feel free to make fun of me," he writes in his Strava profile. When Jesse won the Wildflower Triathlon for the first time, the announcer didn't even know his name. Since then, the triathlete has won the race five other times — and holds the fastest time for the course. You'd better believe people know who he is now.

Last September, Jesse won his debut Ironman in Wales. In May 2016, he beat Ironman world champ Jan Frodeno in Spain. It’s tough to find a weakness in Jesse, who trains with Matt Dixon of Purplepatch fitness. And training for triathlons is not for the weak. Get this: Jesse does 15-20 workouts a week — four to six swims, five to seven bike rides, three to five runs, and two to three strength sessions. He considers an hour spin on a bike an “easy” day. What does a hard day look like? How about a 75-minute swim, 5-hour bike ride and a 40-minute run with race pace intervals?

Jesse follows a clean diet full of nutritious all-natural ingredients. Unable to find a performance bar made with unprocessed ingredients, Jesse and his wife decided to make their own. They founded Picky Bars, a gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and GMO-free energy bar brand.

Secret Weapon: "Picky Bars, of course. And also Jaybird X2 wireless headphones. With that much exercise, I have those things on four to six hours a day," he says.

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Ben Smith

Last year, Ben Smith won the CrossFit Games and was named "The Fittest Man on Earth." This year, he finished second. If you ask us, that’s still pretty darn good.

Ben, who is the co-owner and founder of CrossFit Krypton in Virginia, competed in his eighth consecutive CrossFit Games this year, finishing behind Mat Fraser and, at age 26, becoming one of the most veteran CrossFitters.

Men’s Health once said if you saw Ben in a grocery checkout line, you could mistake him for a sixth grade teacher. It’s true. Ben does have an unassuming look. But most grade school teachers ain’t deadlifting 540 pounds.

An avid baseball player growing up, Ben was introduced to CrossFit during his senior year of high school. Since then, as a self-instructed athlete, he has finished first in the Mid Atlantic Region six times. One of the most successful CrossFitters of all time, Ben is one of only four men to have multiple podium finishes at the CrossFit Games. A recent Instagram post illustrates his approach towards training and competing. “It’s all about the journey, not the destination,” the post reads. “Enjoy the process and embrace the challenges along the way.”

Fun Fact: Ben has finished first, second and third (twice) at the CrossFit Games.

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Akin Akman

You’ve got to admire a man who can inspire an entire army. Voted one of the best SoulCycle instructors of 2015 and 2016, Akin Akman has a legion of dedicated followers searching to discover the best version of themselves. They have even been dubbed “Akin’s Army."

Akin has been sharing with others the work ethic he’s practiced much of his life. At 5 years old, he started training to be a pro tennis player. It wasn’t long before he would be training at the prestigious IMG Academy, a camp known for producing prodigies such as Andre Agassi and Maria Sharapova under legendary coach Nick Bollettieri. Akin trained for 8 to 10 hours, 6 days a week, which is not that different from his current teaching schedule.

Severe injuries derailed his professional tennis career and after playing at Florida Atlantic University, the Miami native moved to New York to start a modeling career while teaching at SoulCycle and leading fitness classes at Crunch as a side gig. Before long, instead of becoming a star on the tennis court, Akin had become a fitness role model. His training isn’t all spin and cardio. He does several strength training workouts each week, including bodyweight power moves. He doesn’t follow a strict diet or count “cheat days.” There’s just one rule: no fried food.

Fun Fact: As part of a launch event for Tommy Hilfiger, Akin once played a game of "strip tennis" with Chanel Iman and Rafael Nadal.

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Jordan Burroughs

Inspired by WWE legends such as “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Ultimate Warrior, Jordan Burroughs began wrestling when he was 5 years old. And he never stopped.

After wrapping up his college career with three Big 12 titles, two national championships and a Hodge Trophy — the wrestling equivalent of the Heisman trophy, he entered the international freestyle wrestling scene and became world champion that same year.

In 2012, Jordan defeated Iranian wrestler Sadegh Saeed Goudarzi at the London Olympics, winning the gold medal. He kept his winning streak going for three and a half years — a total of 69 matches without a loss.

Jordan, who has four world championships under his belt, was hoping to make history by winning another gold medal in Rio. His elimination left him feeling crushed. But a recent post on his Instagram showed he has the true mindset of a champion: "Sports have a way of humbling even the greatest of champions. I stand up, dust myself off and get back to work. Bent but not broken. I'm gonna take some time off, and enjoy life with my family. This is not the end for me," he writes.

Fun Fact: When Jordan won Olympic gold in 2012, he celebrated by eating an entire bag of cotton candy.

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Kevin Jorgeson

Kevin completed the hardest climb in the world on January 14, 2015 — the Dawn Wall in Yosemite National Park — with climbing partner Tommy Caldwell. They were the first two climbers to successfully make this journey — considered by some as the hardest route ever climbed — and they did it without climbing aids or ropes. The arduous ascent, which took them six years to prepare for, took another 19 days to complete.

When they weren’t climbing (they climbed between 4 p.m. and midnight), the two rested, refueled and slept in a portaledges — tents anchored into the granite — for 12 hours every night. They ate Clif Bars, salmon, kale, and other nutritious snacks to maintain their energy and be able to climb for long periods of time.

Kevin started rock climbing at 10 years old and discovered really discovered sport at the grand opening of a local climbing gym. He was the top-ranked climber of the country in his age group by the time he was 19.

The footage of Kevin's battle with Dawn Wall's Pitch 15, which aired at the Vail Film Festival and will be included in the forthcoming documentary Dawn Wall, gives an intimate window into the enormous pressure he faced to succeed. After this enormous feat of athletic ability, Kevin is still spending time climbing, of course, but he is also working as a motivational speaker, asking crowds to consider what their own “Dawn Wall” consists of.

Fun Fact: During the Dawn Wall climb, Kevin and Tommy took about 70 significant falls averaging 10 to 25 feet, according to Vanity Fair.

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Chris Powell

On his website, celebrity trainer Chris Powell refers to himself as “the change artist," a fitting description considering he traveled the country to help people struggling with extreme obesity shed hundreds of pounds on ABC’s Extreme Weight Loss reality show.

His trainees are in good hands: Chris holds a degree in exercise science with concentrations in biomechanics and physiology. He is also a best-selling author. His first book, Choose to Lose: The 7-Day Carb Cycle Solution, provides exercise and nutrition tips as well as insights to help people tap into the right mindset to achieve a life-changing transformation. His second book, Chris Powell’s Choose More, Lose More for Life features carb-cycling programs and super effective nine-minute workouts.

Chris and his wife and co-host, Heidi Powell, recently released another book together: Extreme Transformation: Lifelong Weight Loss in 21 Days.

Secret weapon: "My pre-workout. Like a lot of people, I often have a tough time getting started when I’m tired and sore. A little pre-workout kick is sometimes all I need to turn an ‘okay’ workout into an epic one,"

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Isaac Caldiero

Isaac Caldiero was the first ever "American Ninja Warrior." But before Isaac became famous for conquering Mount Midoriyama, he was just a teenager cleaning bathrooms at a local Utah climbing gym in exchange for a membership.

He earned his first sponsorship a few years later, and between his teenage years and becoming a champion at age 33, he held a string of odd jobs to make ends meet while traveling around the world and honing in his climbing skills.

Isaac had set his sights on American Ninja Warrior and as an avid climber, he knew he could do well in the competition. But, he failed two years in a row before finally getting through the next round of the event. Although he made it to the finals, he didn't have enough time to prepare before his first time attempt and ended up slipping and losing because he was wearing rock climbing shoes instead of road running shoes.

Isaac then built his own mock American Ninja Warrior course to train for the following year — and train he did. Seven days a week of practice got him in what he says was the best shape of his life. But he still didn't make it past the famed salmon ladder in stage two. When he became the the first champion of the show in 2016, he attributed his success to his mental strength. He started meditating and incorporating breathing exercises in preparation for his third attempt, and when he became the first winner of the competition, he said it he felt calm like it was just another day of training.

When it comes to nutrition, Isaac tries to stay light and eats healthy. He starts his day with lukewarm water with fresh-squeezed lemon juice because it helps wake up the body and digestive system. For breakfast, he usually eats oat bran with cinnamon, molasses and honey. For lunch, he might just take down a basic power smoothie with fruits and vegetables. Dinner is the big meal of the day, when he tries to consume the most protein for recovery purposes. Clean, satiating meals like salmon and quinoa and spinach-kale salad with goat cheese, lemon and olive oil are usually on the menu.

Secret Weapon: "I don't carry a bag; my gear is my body and mind," Isaac says. "I can't live without either of those."

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Obi Obadike

“You’re only as good as your last workout.”

That’s how Obi Obadike told us he looks at fitness. The celebrity trainer and nutrition expert, who has been on the cover of over 50 fitness magazines, preaches the idea that fitness is a lifestyle, as much a part of your day as taking a shower or brushing your teeth.

Fitness has always been a part of Obi’s life. He was a Division I collegiate track sprinter at Cal State Fullerton, where he was the school record-holder in the 100, 200 meters and 400-meter relay. A nationally-recognized training veteran with nearly two million Twitter followers, Obi was recognized in 2015 by Onalytica, a social media analytics resource, as the No. 1 health and fitness influencer on Twitter.

His training is a mix of circuit training; high-intensity interval workouts merged with traditional lifting sessions that include lots of supersets; sprints; plyometrics; and long runs.

In 2015, he was the co-host and judge of Spike TV's fitness reality competition show, Sweat Inc., alongside Jillian Michaels and Randy Hetrick (the founder and CEO of TRX Training). Obi currently co-hosts a health TV show called Lifestyle Magazine, which airs every week on TBN, Hope Channel, Family Channel, NRB and other channels.

Secret Weapon: "I can’t live without my music and Beats headphones. Music is what keeps my mind off the actual workout. I can’t imagine working out without my music," he says.

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Ross Edgley

Ross calls himself an athlete adventurer – a guy who doesn't really follow a specific training regimen. That’s because his training changes every week or maybe every day. One day, he might be in the gym expertly performing heavy Olympic lifts with plenty of rest in between. On another day, he might be going through a classic German volume training program or tossing gymnastic rings over a tree. Ross doesn't believe anyone should favor a single way to get fitter, stronger, and leaner in order to reach their potential — and it shows.

Ross’s potential knows no limits. In January, he pulled off an incredible fitness stunt for charity, running a full marathon while pulling a 3,000-pound car. It took him 19 hours, 36 minutes and 43 seconds. He called it the world’s strongest marathon. In April, he tore through two pairs of shoes and 10 pairs of gloves while completing the world’s longest rope climb. Ross repeatedly climbed a 10-meter rope for about 24 hours until he had climbed 8,848 meters. That’s nearly 30,000 feet — roughly the same height as Mount Everest.

Ross is a fitness expert, sports scientist and the founder of the sports nutrition company Protein Works. He says his 18-hour work days (world’s longest work day?) is one of the reasons behind his adaptive training. He doesn't follow any diet plans either. Ross quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson to describe his strategy. “As to methods, there may be a million and then some, but principles a few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods.”

What’s next for Ross? Oh, he’s just training for the World’s Strongest Triathlon, a swimming, cycling and running event combined with a tree-pulling challenge (the tree weighs 100 pounds).

Secret Weapon: Raze Pre-workout from The Protein Works. It’s a pretty potent stimulant-based pre-workout and although I’m never reliant on it, it’s for those workouts when I need a massive kick up the proverbial bum.

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Corey Calliet

Corey Calliet’s influence on fitness in Hollywood has been a knockout. Literally. How do you think Michael B. Jordan got so jacked for his lead role in the 2015 box office hit Creed ? While working with MJB was his most recent high-profile client makeover, Corey has been hard at work in the gym for over a decade.

The trainer has had a very successful career in the fitness industry and 2016 has been one of his busiest years yet — he worked with clients like the aforementioned Jordan, rapper A$AP Rocky, and TV host Terrence Jenkins. His reach goes far beyond Hollywood too, his client roster includes NBA hopefuls and up-and-coming bodybuilders. Most recently, he’s been spotted training NBA star Tyreke Evans. He’s even got the co-sign from eight-time Mr. Olympia, Ronnie Coleman.

Corey even keeps a tally of his clients’ success — 117 body transformations; over 2,100 hours of sweat; over 1,000 goals achieved; and more than 300,000 calories burned according to his webpage. His trainees' results are driven by a lifestyle modification approach to fitness. You have to be all-in when working with Corey.

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Mark Langowski

Here’s the part about personal trainer Mark Langowski that’s hard to believe: He only works out twice a week. Once for an hour, and then another 90-minute session. If he has some free time because of a canceled client, maybe he’ll squeeze in some bodyweight moves. Yet somehow, some way, he’s managed to get the kind of abs the rest of us dream of.

“Diet is 80 percent of you feeling and looking good,” Mark says. “Workouts are also important, but they are nothing without healthy eating.”

The founder of the Body by Mark method got his foot in the door of the fitness industry as a business student at Ferris State University. While interning at the PGA Pro Golf Management Program, he learned skills from world-renowned golf coaches and functional training experts until he became one himself.

After years of personal training at commercial gyms, Mark decided to launch his Body By Mark wellness company, which is now spread across nine states and responsible for changing hundreds of lives through health and wellness.

His success as a trainer and CEO has made him one of the most sought-after men in the world for fitness advice. His 2015 best-selling book, Eat This, Not That! For Abs offers "detailed explanations on how to tighten up that midsection with food selection."

Food selection is a huge part of Mark’s philosophy, which is why he created THE ONLY BAR, a clean, gluten-free, plant-based protein bar that uses simple and healthy ingredients to fuel the body correctly.

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Logan Aldridge

It’s pretty impressive if you can deadlift 350 pounds. But try doing it with one arm. Logan Aldridge is an adaptive CrossFit athlete and coach, who lost his left arm at 13 years old in a boating accident. Logan has since always refused to consider himself disabled.

In fact, with a clean and jerk personal record of 185 pounds, he may be more able than the many of us. Since Logan’s accident, he has competed in wakeboarding competitions, became an accomplished lacrosse player in high school, a motivational speaker, an influential CrossFitter and an advocate for adaptive athletes. Logan was left-handed, which meant he needed to learn how to function, even simply write, with his non-dominant hand.

“It’s just an arm,” Logan said when we asked his life motto.

The 25-year old training five days a week, typically working in two sessions a day, training for strength and skill in the morning and working on conditioning in the evenings. He spends an average of three to four hours a day in training.

When it comes to diet, Logan sticks to whole foods but has a soft spot for peanut butter and chocolate milk. His favorite is sweet potato with chunky peanut butter and honey, which he says he eats at least once a day.

Secret Weapon: "When I reach into my Reebok backpack and pull out my Reebok Nano 6.0s, I know things are about to get fun and I'm ready to take on any workout," he says.

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Will Arrufat

Will Arrufat isn’t just a trainer; he's a motivator. He’s also a HIIT training specialist and a CrossFit coach. While many are posting selfies on Instagram, Will’s feed is full of motivational quotes and inspiring posts about his clients overcoming obstacles on their fitness journey. And speaking of his Instagram, visit his page if you’re in need of a workout.

Will has been a performance coach and group fitness instructor for more than 13 years and a Nike trainer since 2012. But don't mistake him for a walking billboard for the swoosh: He eats, sleeps and breathes the industry. An athlete all his life, Will decided to test his athleticism through CrossFit. He started doing CrossFit workouts on his own without a coach. He fell in love. The renowned trainer, who has taught at Orangetheory and Barry’s Bootcamp, is now a coach at CrossFit SPOT in New York. He follows a well-balanced diet of 30% protein, 40% carbs, 30% clean fat — and pizza, you know, for cheat days.

In 2016, he was nominated by Healthy Living in the “Best in Healthy Living” category section of the eighth annual Shorty Awards for “The Best of Social Media,” impressive given the amount of competition across social media platforms in the world of health and fitness.

Secret Weapon: "I'm a Nike trainer and ambassador so all you will find in my gym bag is Nike apparel," he says. "Favorite Nike shoe to train in? Nike Metcons."

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David Kingsbury

What do Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender, and Ryan Reynolds have in common? Yes, their names all appear on that laminated list your partner keeps under her pillow, but that’s not what we’re thinking about.

Rather, it’s the reason they all appear on most women’s celebrities-it’s-OK-to-sleep-with lists — and yes, that has something to do with what they look like shirtless.

All of these men were trained to blockbuster shape by David Kingsbury, a British trainer and former kickboxer who has become Hollywood’s go-to guy for IMAX-ready abs. His gym is an action hero factory, forging Fassbender for Assassin’s Creed and Hemsworth for Snow White and the Huntsman.

But it’s Jackman who is arguably the greatest beneficiary of David's mix of HIIT, strength training and targeted nutrition. Comfortably into his 40s, the actor looked like, well, a mutant for The Wolverine and X-Men: Days of Future Past.

If that beast-like combo of muscle mass and sub-10% body fat is the reason you go to the gym, the good news is that you don’t have to be an A-lister to get David in your corner. As well as an exclusive series of workouts for AskMen, he creates tailored training and nutrition plans that arrive directly into your inbox alongside instructional videos that tell you exactly what you should be doing.

We’ll give the final word to Wolverine himself: “This guy is the best trainer I have ever worked with, you are in safe hands.”

Fun fact: When your aim is a superhero body, Kingsbury recommends training in the low, 1-5 rep range to build up your strength before progressing to hypertrophy work around 8-12 reps.

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Joe Holder

After injuries sidelined him from playing college football, Joe Holder — Nike trainer and founder of The Ocho System — decided to take control of his fitness and nutrition and adopt a more holistic healthy-living approach. He found the setback distracted him from his overall health. There was something missing. That’s when The Ocho System (OS) was born. OS encompasses a food-as-fuel mindset and utilizes positive thinking techniques alongside physical wellness programs and workouts.

Joe’s main message is that you should be eating food for function. He advocates for a plant-based diet. Alongside his weight-training program, Joe also uses meditation and yoga for the spiritual and physical benefits. He is a firm believer in combining the mind and body as one to live a long, healthy life. He believes many people could benefit from such a 360-degree lifestyle change.

And he doesn’t just preach the process; he lives it. When he isn’t training clients at S10 in New York or working with Nike, he is contributing to various publications, trying to educate the public and share the knowledge he has gained over the years to help people live better, healthier lives.

Fun Fact: Joe played wide receiver at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his spot as a walk-on during his freshman year.

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Jimmy Chin

Jimmy Chin is one of the most-followed adventure photographers in the world. Take one look at his Instagram feed, and you’ll see why; he captures images of nature at its most beautiful and vulnerable.

Jimmy is a professional climber, mountaineer, skier, director, photographer (the list goes on), and in the past decade, he has documented and/or participated in some of the most extreme expeditions around the planet, including adventures in Pakistan, China, Tanzania, South Africa, Nepal, Mali, Borneo, and India. He’s even climbed and skied Mount Everest from the summit. Recently, Jimmy made a special ascent when, fully equipped with virtual reality cameras, he scaled 1 World Trade Center in New York City, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

His amazing photographs aren’t just famous for lighting up your Instagram feed, his amazing work has received countless industry awards and even landed on the cover of National Geographic.

Jimmy is also famous for his documentaries and short films. One film in particular, Meru, recently won the coveted "Audience Choice Award" at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, which he references as one of the proudest moments of his career.

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KC Mitchell

California native KC Mitchell can deadlift over 535 pounds and bench press more than 425 pounds. But those challenging lifts are nothing compared to what KC has been through in his life.

The powerlifter was in a severe combat accident while serving the United States military on a deployment mission in Afghanistan. His team’s vehicle was struck by an IED. The accident left him with a brutally injured leg. It took nine days for him to be transferred to Washington D.C. to receive proper treatment — multiple emergency landings were made to ensure he remained stable.

KC had 38 surgeries before deciding to amputate his leg. Now he is known around the world as "that 1-leg monster," He is an internationally recognized fitness influencer, athlete and motivational speaker. His training philosophies embody a hardcore, gritty, brutal approach to strength building. What KC is able to do with one leg is one of the most amazing displays of strength, courage and willpower you will ever see in your life.

The athlete has embraced the challenge he was faced with. His type of strength is not defined by the amount of 45-pound plates on the end of the barbell. KC is leading by example, inspiring not only combat-wounded veterans, but people around the world who are pushing themselves to become happier and healthier.

Fun Fact: KC started a show on his YouTube channel called Road to Full Power, which gives an inside look at his life, training and rehabilitation as he lifts and competes in an open division against able-bodied athletes.

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Colin O'Brady

In 2008, an accident left Colin O’Brady with second and third-degree burns on 22% of his body. Doctors told him he might never walk normally again. Now, the professional endurance athlete has set a world record completing the Explorer’s Grand Slam — climbing the tallest peak on each of the seven continents — in 139 days.

For a whole year after his accident, Colin focused on rehab and regaining his range of motion. He set a goal for himself: to finish a triathlon and prove his doctors wrong. He surpassed his goal by finishing first in his age group at the 2009 Chicago Triathlon. Soon after, he earned a spot on Team USA at the 2010 triathlon world championships in Budapest. Since his accident, he has represented the United States in triathlon competitions in 22 countries.

Colin uses his knowledge and passion to contribute to the community; he's partnered with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation organization, which raises awareness for childhood obesity.

Secret Weapon: "My Nalgene water bottle, because hydration is the key to

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Shaun T Blokker

Fitness guru Shaun T believes you should be working to improve your inner self as much as your outer self. On his podcast, Trust and Believe With Shaun T, he encourages people to reflect and find their true motivation in life. So it makes sense that his passion for fitness and dance helped launch his successful career.

The creator of the hugely popular Beachbody programs Hip Hop Absand Insanityentered the world of health and fitness as a personal trainer — he holds a bachelor’s degree in sports science. He then started working as a health program manager at a pharmaceutical company, a stepping-stone to the world of commercial fitness.

But Shaun T’s dancing skills also lead him to work in entertainment for a while. He performed in musicals such as The Ten Commandments and landed film and TV roles in Six Feet Under, Beauty Shop and Tyler Perry’s House of Payne. All the pieces to his success story came together in 2003, when he partnered with Beachbody to release Hip Hop Abs, a fun dance-based home fitness program.

This led to the creation of other programs, including Insanity (one of the best-selling infomercials of all time) and its spin-off, Insanity Max:30. In 2015, Beachbody released Shaun’s latest dance workout, Cize.

Some of Shaun’s tips for nutritional success include fueling up on healthy carbs, stocking up on easy-to-cook proteins, staying hydrated, keeping energizing snacks around, and eating lots of leafy greens. He lives in Arizona with his husband, Scott Blokker.

Fun Fact: If you catch Shaun T on a "cheat day," you might find him chowing down on a Philly cheese steak.

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Kurt Yaeger

Kurt Yaeger is a former pro BMX rider who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident. The below-the-knee amputation of his left leg may have taken his BMX away from him, but he focused his energy on acting and immediately excelled.

Although the accident that required him to undergo more than 20 surgeries to repair a broken pelvis, fractured spine and ruptured bladder was caused by a motorcycle, the California-born actor did not let the accident hold him back from living one of his true passions. He still rides motorcycles to this day. In fact, he’s most known for playing Greg "the Peg.on the FX hit series Sons of Anarchy. After his accident, Kurt rehabilitated himself to build back the strength and mobility needed to perform at a high level. He still enjoys training outdoors with a lot of bodyweight calisthenics exercises — and he does plan to ride his BMX again.

His success in acting has led him to directing and writing films. He has accumulated executive producer credits in addition to being a part of an award-winning TV drama that many consider to be one of the best shows of all time. In 2016, he was featured in Showtime’s Shameless. He is busy working on two projects for 2017 — a film and a TV series.

Fun Fact: Kurt recently landed a recurring role on CBS's season 8 of NCIS: Los Angeles.

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Kenny Santucci

Yes, Kenny Santucci is that guy from MTV. The one from the Real World/Road Rules Challenge franchise. And the host of AskMen's You're Doing It Wrongfitness series. But that’s not all. Kenny is a renowned trainer at CrossFit Solace in New York City and the creator of the Body by Solace fitness program. His athletic experience and training style includes specializations in triathlons, CrossFit and Ironman competitions. Ironically, this Ironman athlete was once referred to as "the cupcake kid" because of his poor health habits and unhealthy lifestyle.

“I’m a WOD (workout of the day) whore,” Kenny says. “Love to jump in workouts at the gym. I’m a CrossFit guy. I’ve been doing it for five years. I like the idea of training with a purpose, to be a better version of myself both as a coach and an athlete.”

Those cupcake kid days are long gone. Kenny is widely known for his appearances on MTV, VH1 and TLC. He’s an accomplished fitness and fashion model and his athletic accolades have earned him sponsorship opportunities with brands such as Zico Coconut Water and Reebok. He first broke onto the scene as an MTV host in 2005, which was the start of his successful career. He has training certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, specializations in kettlebell training, pre/post natal training and a host of other CrossFit and TRX qualifications.

Secret Weapons: Give me a pair of Reebok Nanos, an Rx jump rope, a Power Monkey TheraBand, a SlingShot Hip Circle and a cup of coffee and I'm solid.

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Todd Durkin

You might have seen Todd Durkin on NBC’s Strong. But he wears many other hats: strength, speed and conditioning coach; personal trainer; author; and motivational speaker. His San Diego gym, Fitness Quest 10, has been featured on Men’s Health list of “America’s Top 10 Gyms” for the past five years.

At Fitness Quest 10, Todd and his team of almost 40 coaches and therapists service over 500 clients ranging from high-profile athletes to total beginners and people recovering from injuries.

Todd has trained NFL MVPs, Super Bowl champions and Olympic gold medalists amongst many other world-class athletes. And the sought-after personal trainer is an award winner himself: He was featured on Greatist’s "Top 100 Most Influential People in Health and Fitness" list in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He was named personal trainer of the year on two occasions — by the IDEA fitness organization in 2004 and by the ACE (American Council on Exercise) in 2005.

Todd is the author of The Impact! Body Plan, a 10-week program that aims to bring world-class training principles to people of all ages, shapes and sizes who want to transform their bodies.

But Todd’s work does not stop at health and fitness: His company, Todd Durkin Enterprises, provides motivational and educational programs to a number of top brands such as Under Armour, Gatorade, Wells Fargo, and the San Diego Chargers, He also runs the Todd Durkin Mastermind Institute, where he mentors other personal trainers and coaches to help them build their own successful businesses.

Fun Fact: Todd founded Fitness Quest 10, a world-class fitness facility named one of “America’s Top 10 Gyms” by Men’s Health.

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Michael Morelli Jr.

“Do your best, every day. Nothing more, and nothing less — just your best,” says Michael Morelli of his life philosophy.

Michael is the founder of Morellifit, an online business and community where people looking to get fit can find advice, training programs, meal plans, supplements and more.

Michael’s path to becoming a successful fitness entrepreneur was an unconventional one. He dropped out of college to run a retail business. And even though his business was thriving, the stress and long hours began to take a toll on him. Unfortunately, he started using drugs and alcohol to cope, nearly ruining his life in the process.

Through hard work and a positive attitude, Michael was able to pull himself out of that dark place. He rededicated himself to being fit and healthy and started a YouTube channel to document his journey and help others in the process. He sought out to learn everything he could about health and fitness, earning five different certifications in six months – a testament to his strength of character. In May 2014, Michael created his first product, HIIT Max – his signature spin on high-intensity functional training.

Since then, he has helped over 200,000 people through his products and services. He and his team of coaches and nutritionists work daily to deliver programs and plans to clients. Next spring, Michael’s new book on carb cycling, The Sweet Potato Diet, will be released. Michael is also taking the HIIT Max brand to the next level, hosting live events, offering certifications and introducing an app.

When it comes to nutrition, Michael believes in following a few key principles such as getting adequate amounts of protein and water, eating whole foods, being consistent with meal frequency, and removing problem foods. And he likes to enjoy the occasional reward meal or glass of red wine.

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Jay Maryniak

Jay Maryniak is not one to let obstacles come in the way of his athletic pursuits.

As a young man, the New York City-based CrossFit athlete and trainer struggled with drug addiction and alcoholism. Fortunately, discovering a passion for fitness helped him get clean. Jay initially trained to become a muay thai fighter. But he discovered CrossFit while prepping for a fight and was hooked. However, in March 2013, Jay was hospitalized and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Despite the diagnosis, he continued to dominate his sport, holding an impressive 545-pound deadlift and 275-pound power clean personal record.

But even though he can lift impressive loads, Jay’s specialty is bodyweight training. He creates well-rounded programs that include lifting, aerobic exercises, boxing and kickboxing for his clients. What does he eat to maintain his ripped physique? Jay likes to stick to mostly lean meats and vegetables, with some fruits and starch thrown in the mix. Every once in a while, he enjoys a cheat meal of pizza.

You can keep up with him on Instagram, where he regularly shares training videos with his 140,000 and so followers.

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Dan Wells

Dan Wells doesn’t believe in being a victim of life’s circumstances. When he was 22, he lost his father to a heart attack. Dan immersed himself in fitness to cope and has since ascended the ranks of the CrossFit world: He was the top qualifier for the SoCal regional competition in both 2013 and 2014. At the 2015 CrossFit Open, he finished fifth out of 18,000 competitors worldwide. He then competed in the 2015 CrossFit Games, where he placed 14th.

Dan is the founder of CrossFit Horsepower, an L.A.-based gym chain. You might have seen his dynamic coaching in action on NBC’s Strong (and noticed his super ripped physique). At only 5’9” and 165 pounds, he may be light but he is a powerhouse: He holds impressive maxes, including a 265-pound clean and jerk and a 395-pound deadlift. He trains five to six days a week, finishing his one-hour to 90-minute strength training session with a 10 to 20-minute metabolic conditioning drill.

Dan’s workout regimen is complemented by a super clean diet: Unprocessed foods, nutrient-dense fats, very little fruit, minimal starch or gluten, and little to no sugar. He supplements his diet with fish oil, probiotics and a multi-vitamin. And whether he is training himself or encouraging his clients to become the best version of themselves, Dan’s approach doesn’t change: Safety and technique come first and fun is always part of the equation.

Secret Weapon: Second to a barbell (obviously), the Assault Bike is my favorite piece of gym equipment. The friggin’ thing kicks my ass but makes me better at everything else.

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Tony Horton

Few people have had a bigger impact on the fitness world than Tony Horton. Unless you have been living under a rock, you know about P90X — Tony’s super successful home fitness system, a 90-day body transformation program. The Beachbody product and its spin-offs have sold nearly five million copies to date.

Tony has worked with athletes, movie stars, members of congress, and military corps. His latest program, 22-Minute Hard Corps, is a high-intensity workout that promises to whip you in “boot camp shape.” Most recently, Tony worked with Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy to help him shed 15-20 pounds in preparation for the upcoming 2016 season.

However, Tony wasn’t always a great athlete himself. Originally from Connecticut, he moved to L.A. with the intention of becoming an actor. He took odd jobs to make ends meet — and also experimented with his training program to build a coveted physique. His impressive transformation and training methods started garnering the attention of the right crowd — he trained Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty.

Since appearing on infomercials to sell his signature fitness program and rising to fame, Tony has been featured in publications like Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness, SELF and Women’s Health, as well as national TV shows like The Today Show, Good Morning America and The Doctor Oz Show. He is the author of three best-selling books: Bring It!, Crush It! and The Big Picture: 11 Laws That Will Change Your Life.

The famous trainer practices what he preaches: He trains six to seven days a week, doing a mix of bodyweight training, conventional lifting, plyometrics, cardio, and yoga. He maintains his chiseled six-pack by focusing on eating whole, unprocessed foods and avoiding sugar and dairy. And he makes sure to get plenty of sleep for optimal recovery: six or seven hours on bad nights and eight to nine hours on good ones.

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Noah Neiman

As one of New York City’s most in-demand trainers, Noah Neiman stars in the Bravo reality show Work Out New York. The series follows the lives of seven high-end trainers as they work to get elite clients in a highly competitive industry.

The Barry’s Bootcamp trainer is no stranger to whipping A-listers into shape: He has worked with celebrities, models, fashion designers, and athletes. And it’s not his first time appearing on the small screen either: He made appearances on TV shows such as Good Morning America, Nightline, and The Doctor Oz Show. He has also been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Vanity Fair.

Once an overweight child, Noah embraced physical activity at the age of 12. He graduated university with an accounting degree but felt unhappy working as an accountant. After a few years in the field, he left his job. His fitness career started when a blogger friend asked him for help getting in shape. Noah accompanied his friend to a class at Barry’s Bootcamp. His impressive physique and fitness level stood out: He was offered a job.

Besides teaching high-intensity workout classes several times a week, he stays in peak physical condition by doing a combination of boxing, martial arts and weight training. The Nike-endorsed trainer eats frequent meals throughout the day to keep his metabolism high and energy revved-up, loading up on protein and staying away from gluten. He also drinks at least a gallon of water a day.

Secret Weapons: "No matter how tough sh*t gets, if you have some lit kicks on your feet, life ain't that bad. I love the new Nike Flyknit Prestos and the Lunar Epic shoes," he says.

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Adam Rosante

Thanks to his fun and accessible approach to health and fitness, Adam Rosante has quickly become one of America’s favorite trainers.

Adam started working out when he was only 13. Even though he loved training, he never saw it as a potential career. However, more and more people started asking him for fitness tips, prompting him to turn his hobby into a side business. This led Adam to create The People’s Bootcamp in New York City, a high-intensity interval training class offered on a pay-what-you-can basis. This move garnered him a lot of attention and helped skyrocket his fitness career. Target asked him to be the ambassador of its popular C9 fitness apparel brand. Hearst Digital Studios hired Adam to star on the CosmoBody channel.

In 2015, Adam released his first book, The 30 Second Body: Eat Clean, Train Dirty & Live Hard, a six-week fitness, diet and lifestyle plan. The trainer designs his workouts in a way that makes them appropriate for pro athletes and exercise beginners alike — challenging yet scalable.

His healthy living tips include drinking lots of water, eating lots of unprocessed foods and performing super challenging workouts five times a week.

Fun Fact: Adam once told the Chicago Tribune that he has no guilty pleasures — just pleasures. He doesn't believe in deprivation.

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Patrick Beach

Think yoga and Patrick Beach’s name is one that likely comes to mind. Patrick’s initial foray into the practice came when he started practicing poses his mom learned in yoga class — on the kitchen floor.

Since then, he has played an instrumental role in leading the yoga movement for men. Men’s general participation in yoga has skyrocketed in the past few years. Part of this is due to the work of male yogis (women are actually called “yoginis”) such as Patrick.

Patrick is working to challenge common stereotypes about yoga – the idea that yoga is not physically challenging enough or that people who lack flexibility shouldn’t practice it, for example. He specializes in teaching vigorous vinyasa classes – a type of practice that focuses on coordinating movement and breath and flowing from one pose to the next. His classes are a fluid mix of longer holds and crafty flows that forge a deep mind-body connection.

Outside of yoga, Patrick loves the NBA, comics, adventures, and taking on creative projects with friends.

Secret Weapon: I created my own clothing line called BLNCX and I rock those pieces all the time.

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Steven Lopez

With a career spanning over two decades, Steven Lopez is arguably the most decorated athlete in the sport of taekwondo.

Throughout the years, Steven has won two Olympic gold medals (2000 and 2004), one Olympic bronze medal (2008), and five world championships. Steven’s first big competition was the Pan American Games in 1995, where he won a silver medal. But 2003 was his coming out party. He won the gold at both the Pan American Games and the World Championships, setting the stage for his title defense at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens. Steven won the gold once again and followed that up with another world championship title.

It's almost comical to think he got into the sport due to his father's love of Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris movies. Intrigued by martial arts, Steven's dad enrolled his eldest child, Jean, in taekwondo classes. The rest of the children followed suit and soon enough, they were all training in the family garage and accumulating trophies. His family is sometimes referred to as "the first family of taekwondo."

Steven trains 11-12 times a week, mixing taekwondo workouts with strength training and cardio. His favorite post-workout snack is Greek yogurt, and he makes sure to eat lots of fruits and veggies to harness the power of antioxidants.

Fun Fact: Steven, Mark and his sister Diana all medaled in taekwondo at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

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Matt Giordano

The rising popularity of Acroyoga, a blend of yoga and acrobatics, can be attributed to yogis and social media influencers like Matt Giordano.

Matt travels the world to teach his signature style of yoga. His teaching methods are influenced by martial arts – aikido and taekwondo — and he also draws wisdom from his study of biomechanics and mind-body techniques.

The Long Island native, who calls himself “the yogi Matt,” spent seven years developing his yoga teachings in Manhattan, where he taught at local studios. Matt credits an influential figure from his teenage years — his high school arts teacher — for sparking him with the curiosity and tenacity that led him to becoming an accomplished yoga practitioner. She encouraged him to believe anything was possible if he desired it.

One of his most recent projects is a handstand training series featuring the 10 most effective strength training drills for progressing to a handstand.

Fun Fact: Matt began studying martial arts at age 7 and incorporates elements into his yoga classes.

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Frank Medrano

Have you seen those crazy videos of guys contorting themselves at a neighborhood park? Frank Medrano is one of those guys. He’s a calisthenics (bodyweight training) expert with a hugely popular YouTube channel (one of his videos has over 35 million views).

He came across his talent rather by accident, jumping onto a pull-up bar and discovering how liberating it felt to pull himself up. After the initial excitement, Frank said the true benefits of this type of training carried over in his day-to-day life.

His mantra, “your body is a gym,” seems to resonate with his over 700,000 Instagram followers and 4.7 million Facebook fans. He regularly shares fitness tips and workout videos on his social accounts.

And if you’re wondering how Frank manages to maintain his super ripped physique (he has around five percent body fat), you should know he is a vegan who often cooks with quinoa, beans, broccoli, and spinach.

Secret Weapon: Frank fuels up with complex carbohydrates such as lentils and yams.

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Kenneth Gallarzo

As head coach and co-founder of the World Calisthenics Organization, Kenneth Gallarzo's current focus is spreading the word about the calisthenics movement.

Kenneth travels the world to host workshops and competitions, including the Battle of the Bars international calisthenics competition. And whether he is helping the best street workout athletes get recognition or sharing fitness tips with his thousands of followers, he shows people that calisthenics can be done anywhere, by anyone. If you’re not convinced, just check his home calisthenics tutorial.

Kenneth shared some of his healthy living tips in an interview on TheFinestInFitness.com. The athlete supplements his back-to-basics training approach with an equally simple diet full of whole foods such as lean meats, veggies, fruits, rice, and beans.

Fun Fact: Kenneth's WCO hosts the Battle of the Bars, the first calisthenics competition of its kind.

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Adrian Ballinger

Having already topped Everest six times, Adrian Ballinger joined photojournalist Cory Richards to become the first Americans to Snapchat their way up Earth’s highest peak. To give people an idea how treacherous it is to climb Everest, Adrian and Cory attempted to scale the mountain without supplemental oxygen. Adrian was forced to turn back on this attempt after having scaled 27,000 feet. He was literally freezing to death. Nonetheless, the stunt gained international attention as Adrian and Corey were able to give an unfiltered view of how challenging a 29,000-foot expedition can be.

Adrian is one of America’s premiere high-altitude ski mountaineers and mountain guides. He is the first American to ski two different 8,000-meter peaks and the first American to ski down from the Manaslu summit in Nepal. The founder of Alpenglow Expeditions, he has been a full-time guide for more than 20 years. His training combines loads of cardio — including mountain trail running in the summer and backcountry skiing in the winter — and, of course, “as much rock climbing as I can fit in.”